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What it is:

Some young children, especially in the second half of their second year, develop a fearsome fear of doctor visits.

Why it happens:

Developmentally speaking, there are a couple of factors at work here. Your toddler's growing memory, in particular, has a lot to do with his dread of doctors. When he was a baby, he forgot what happened at each visit but now all the dirty details (ouch, that hurt!) can come back in a flash.

What you need to know:

The most important thing is not to tease or belittle your child's fear. Instead, provide a liberal dose of sympathy and know that by heeding the following tips the fear might go away.

What to do about it:

The next time your child is due for a checkup —

Time it right. Don't make an appointment when he's likely to be hungry or tired. Also avoid peak office hours when there's less time for one-on-one attention (and a greater chance of having to wait and wait and wait…).

Alert the staff. If your child is extremely fearful, consider calling ahead and letting the doctor or nurse know. They're used to handling anxious little patients, but a heads-up (and some extra TLC) doesn't hurt right from the start.

Don't make promises you can't keep. If you tell your child "it won't hurt" and it does — even a little — your credibility is shot. (You may have also planted the idea of ouch in your child's head when he wasn't even thinking about the possibility of pain.)

Offer comfort in many forms. Let your toddler tote his favorite blanket or toys, stash some of his favorite cookies in your bag, and provide endless kisses if he needs them. If he cries, let him know it's okay (but do encourage him to stay still for the doctor).

Examine your own attitude. Kids are quick to pick up on their parents' anxiety, so stay relaxed, and keep a positive spin on things.

Finish up with praise. After the exam, find something positive to say about how your child did. Any little progress is noteworthy ("You cried so much less than last time!").

Plan a treat for after the visit, like a trip to the playground or ice-cream store. And follow through on the treat, no matter how he behaves during the exam. This will help your child associate the doctor with something pleasant.

How to prevent it:

Read books together that feature positive, informative stories about visits to the doctor (check out Heidi's children's book: What to Expect When You Go to the Doctor).

Give your child a toy doctor's kit and let him "practice" on you and his toys.

Never associate doctor visits with punishment. Don't say: "If you don't eat your medicine, you'll get sick and we'll have to go to the doctor."

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